Above: Allahabad High Court

Acting on the plea seeking implementation of minimum wages for daily wage earners in the forest department of Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has sought a reply from the chief forest conservator of the state.

The single-judge bench of Justice Sunita Agrawal asked what steps have been taken to implement the decision of the Supreme Court in the Puthalal case.

The plea which has been filed by Mohan Swarup along with other daily wage workers says that under same work same pay, minimum wages should be guaranteed. And according to the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission minimum salary of Rs 18,000 should be given.

Countering the arguments, the UP government said that daily wage workers’ appointments are on ad hoc basis. Their services are taken when there is availability. The 7th Pay Commission recommendations are only for permanent workers.

The bench said that the issue was deliberative and refused to give interim relief while directing the UP government to file a detailed affidavit.

The matter was posted for next hearing to July 13.

—India Legal Bureau